Reader's Digest names Pierogi Fest one of 15 festivals worth a pit stop

Crowds flock to downtown Whiting for Pierogi Fest.
Reader’s Digest, which reaches millions of readers across the country, named Whiting’s Pierogi Fest one of “15 American Food Festivals Worth a Pit Stop.”
“Dive into Eastern European fare like the signature doughy stuffed dumplings, kielbasa and more at this festival in Whiting, Indiana,” the general interest magazine wrote. “Or check out the beer garden to loosen up your dancing feet for the Polka Dance Off, judged by the festival’s very own ‘Polkahontas.”
Co-founder and organizer Tom Dabertin said it was another feather in the cap of Pierogi Fest, which will take place along 119th Street between July 23 and July 25 after being canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic last year.
“It’s a tremendous honor to now be named one of the best festivals in America by one of the largest circulated magazines,” he said. “We’ve been named the best festival in the Region 18 consecutive years by The Times and were on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. It says a lot that we’re getting all this recognition when it’s run by all volunteers.”
Organizers estimate more than 300,000 people visit downtown Whiting over the course of the three-day summer festival in which vendors sell a variety of pierogi in celebration of the Region’s Eastern-European heritage. The offbeat festival features a lot of humor, such as the Mr. Pierogi Songfest that features parodies of pop music and the Buscias’ cooking show in which they’ve advised people to buy a prepared dinner from Strack & Van Til, drink wine in the kitchen while pretending to cook and then taking full credit for the meal.
“I was elated when I found out we were in Reader’s Digest,” Dabertin said. “What a great feeling to be named one of the best festivals by such a well-known magazine. We’re all volunteers.”
Coming Sunday, ride along with Specialist Dyer as he patrols LaPorte.
Pierogi Fest has gotten repeated recognition since it was founded in 1994, including from Yahoo, Tripadvisor, Saveur and O, The Oprah Magazine.
“We’ve been called the wackiest festival on the planet earth,” Dabertin said.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Oasis Video closes after 30 years; My Salon Suite, Doc’s, cigar bar, Rhythm ‘N’ Beets and tax service open
Closed

You can’t rewind time.
One of the Region’s last remaining video stores has vanished from the landscape.
Oasis Video in Crown Point closed after 30 years.
Video stores have been fading for years as streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Paramount+, Disney+, ESPN+, Apple TV+, YouTube TV, Crunchyroll and Crackle have emerged to compete with them.
Though their decline was ultimately as inevitable as that of physical media, it was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic that also killed the last remaining national video store chain, Family Video, which recently closed its last few area locations in Dyer, Highland, Griffith, Valparaiso and LaPorte. Video stores had early access to recent Hollywood blockbusters, but when Hollywood stopped releasing movies in theaters and started to distribute them directly to streaming services, video stores lost the last remaining competitive advantage they had.
Closed

“Oasis Video is now closed after more than 30 years of providing home entertainment,” a voice mailbox message said. “It took pandemic ramifications in the industry and an unfavorable lease to shut us down. We will cherish our memories of all of you. Stay safe.”
Oasis Video was a local chain that once had video rental stores in Hammond and Griffith. Its location in the strip mall at 1302 N. Main St. in Crown Point was its last.
Longtime customer John Sheehy will miss the place.
“I still prefer to buy and rent physical media over streaming services,” he said. “Sad to see them close, but it was inevitable.”
Reopen

Doc’s Smokehouse and Craft Bar recently reopened in Dyer after an extended hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic.
The award-winning authentic southern barbecue restaurant at 1420 Calumet Ave is again serving up favorites like brisket, ribs, pulled pork, turkey and Usinger’s hot link sausages, as well as dry rub tossed, flash-fried and hickory smoked wings. Founded in 2016, it now has locations in Northwest Indiana, Mokena, Madison and Milwaukee.
Doc’s serves up meat from Meats by Linz, the Calumet City-based supplier of some of the finest steakhouses in Chicago and the country. It cooks them low and slow with nothing but spice, smoke and time, offering a number of regional barbecue sauces at the table like Alabama white sauce.
It also has a wide selection of craft beers and whiskeys.
Doc’s hired Pat Niebling of 3 Floyds to serve as culinary director and is now running Dino Bone jumbo beef rib, prime rib and burnt ends specials on the weekends.
For more information, visit docsbbq.net or call 219-262-3627.
Open

Smoke ’em if you got ’em at Golden Leaf Cigar Bar at 3093 Village Point in Chesterton.
The local chain has locations in Michigan City and Hobart, offering “one of the largest selections of fine cigars available anywhere.” The new Chesterton location features a lounge, a humidor and top brands like La Gloria Cubana, Macanudo and Perdomo.
“The inventory on hand will impress even the most ardent cigar aficionado,” Golden Leaf Cigar Bar said on its website.
The retailer offers a variety of imported cigars, various tobacco products and lockers that can be rented by members.
It’s open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.
For more information, call 219-250-5656 or visit goldenleafcigars.com.
Open

Rhythm ‘N’ Beets Wellness Spot & Recovery is offering pediatric therapies, holistic health coaching and other alternative therapies at 880 E 1050 N in Chesterton.
The studio offers a variety of classes, including pilates and yoga for all ages, as well as tips on healthy eating.
“Created to provide families with professional therapy and alternative care services geared towards improving health and wellness,” Rhythm ‘N’ Beets Wellness Spot & Recovery said on its website. “Our objective is to guide individuals of all ages toward a healthier lifestyle. Using an integrative approach, we strive to empower you, our clients, to fashion an individualized plan that meets your life goals. Having you acquire and maintain healthy habits for a lifetime is our passion and unwavering goal.”
The business is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call 219-252-3721 or call rhythmnbeets.com.
Reopen

Radiant Studios Salon Suites & Spa reopened after a renovation at 851 Indian Boundary Road in Chesterton.
It leases out space to a variety of beauty professionals.
“Opening your own salon is easier than you may think. Our newly remodeled suites are perfect for established cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, and massage therapists ready to move up and move out,” the business said on social media. “Best of all there is no commission. You keep $100 percent of our earnings on products and services.”
For more information, visit radiantsalonsuites.com or call 219-728-6523.
Open

Jennifer Williams recently opened a new tax office at 6340 Kennedy Ave. Hammond that recently celebrated a grand opening.
All In One Tax Services provides a variety of tax services in Hessville, including tax preparation for people and businesses, tax consultation and life insurance quotes. It also offers credit repair services that help restore people’s credit ratings.
For more information, call 219-206-2415 or visit alln1taxjw.com.
Reopen

Walmart recently renovated its Hammond superstore nearer the Chicago border at 1100 5th Ave.
The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail giant recently installed improvements including COVID-19 protections, online grocery pickup and more fresh food. It’s part of an effort to protect workers and customers from coronavirus, but also is intended to help customers save time.
“I’m excited about the expansion of the online grocery footprint with a more sophisticated system which will allow us to fill more orders and be reliable with the increased demand,” Hammond Walmart Store Manager Jags Brar said. “We’re moving forward as a company and doing new things to enhance the customers’ experience while continuing to be a pillar in the community.”
Improvements included an electronics department with more hands-on opportunities, more grocery aisles and an expanded liquor department. The store now offers grocery pickup with no fee, contact-free delivery, express delivery within two hours, touch-free pay and pharmacy pickup and delivery for customers 60 and up or who have other high-risk factors.
If you would like your business to be included in a future column, email joseph.pete@nwi.com.
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Published at Fri, 14 May 2021 14:30:00 +0000